THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY
Michelangelo's David

I actually got goosebumps reading today. As the title says, I'm currently reading "The Agony & the Ecstasy" by Irving Stone. It's a wonderful book, and I would definitely reccommend it to anyone. However, this is not a book review; this is my response to a particular moment it the book, a moment that resonated very strongly with me, and one that will probably resonate just as strongly with any artist, or even, anyone who creates anything for a living.

I just finished a chapter talking about Michelangelo's David, going from how he received the commission, the marble block, his sketchings, his ideas on what the statue should say. Finally, after many months of toil, he finishes the piece, there is some debate on where it should be placed in the city (Florence, where I spent 4 months studying; as an aside, this is part of why I enjoy the book. I love hearing names and places where I lived while I'm reading. It makes the book especially vivid). Finally, the statue is placed over four days of transportation, and it becomes available for viewing to the public.

When the statue went on display, crowds gathered to view it, much as they continue to do today. However, and I'm not sure if this is common practice, when this statue went on display, the people of Florence placed notes at the base of the statue of their responses to the statue. The response is overwhelming positive, although I'll leave the details of how and why to those who eventually read the book. When Michelangelo reads them, though, there is minimal description of how he actually reacted. It states he turns to the crowd, and there is a moment of wordless communication, where he intuitively understands the acceptance and love the people of Florence have for the David.

It was this moment that gave me goosebumps. Anyone who's ever created before knows what this feels like. I'm not a sculptor or painter; I have very little skill in aesthetics and visual medium. However, I know what it feels like to have your work resonate so strongly with an audience, and it wasn't until this moment that I understood that this is one of those universal phenomena.

There is NOTHING like realizing your work is loved by countless number of your audience, of feeling that intrinsic resonating when your creation works on a number of levels with many people. I'm having trouble forming the words, but I know you know what I mean. It's a beautiful thing.

Any artist is nervous when his work begins to be displayed. As a musician, there is always a moment of fear before I begin to perform. (Obviously, as you perform more, this lessons, but never completely dissipates.) You've put your heart and soul into these works. How will people react? You really have no idea. As the music progresses, you KNOW how people are reacting. You don't have to look at their faces; you don't have to look at anyone. When you are performing, you KNOW when your heart and soul is in the music. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, and it sucks when it isn't, but you KNOW. (And people claim there's no such thing as telepathy :).)

Art is universal. I know, this is an old, tired cliche, but it's true. And this passage showed me that in the most direct way: by watching someone experience something you know you yourself have gone through. It's a beautiful thing.

I should probably go back, revisit the David after having read this. I know and understand it's beauty, but I never really felt it, never truly grasped it. I think I may be able to now.